Botswana's karakul renaissance - Ministry of Agriculture
Botswana's karakul renaissance - Ministry of Agriculture
Botswana's karakul renaissance - Ministry of Agriculture
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Volume 40, No. 05 May 2010<br />
“We Can not Feed the Nation from<br />
Idle Land” -President Khama tells<br />
Agricultural Pitso<br />
Botswana’s <strong>karakul</strong><br />
<strong>renaissance</strong><br />
BUFFER ZONE,<br />
DOUBLE CORDON FENCE<br />
A LONG TERM STRATEGY TO CONTROL FMD<br />
May 2010
c o n t e n t s<br />
A G R I N E W S May<br />
Merafhe said that the government<br />
has recently approved an economic<br />
diversification drive initiative which<br />
is intended to utilize Botswana’s purchasing<br />
power to give impetus to the<br />
production <strong>of</strong> locally manufactured<br />
goods and services.<br />
2 0 1 0<br />
2<br />
Editorial<br />
Botswana Small Medium And Micro Enterprise Good For Diversification<br />
Buffer Zone, Double Cordon Fence A Long Term Strategy To Control FMD<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
5<br />
“We can not feed the nation<br />
from idle land therefore we<br />
have to invest in agriculture and<br />
manage the farming businesses<br />
to maximise pr<strong>of</strong>its,” President<br />
Khama said<br />
Boteti Sub District Free From Foot And Mouth Disease<br />
4<br />
“We Can not Feed the Nation from Idle Land” -President Khama<br />
tells Agricultural Pitso<br />
Farmer Service Centres To Operate As Retail<br />
Botswana’s <strong>karakul</strong> <strong>renaissance</strong><br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Karakul is the skin <strong>of</strong> newborn<br />
or even unborn lambs, prized for<br />
its s<strong>of</strong>tness and silk-like texture.<br />
The newborn are slaughtered<br />
immediately after birth because<br />
their silky pelt would fetch a<br />
high price on the export market.<br />
7<br />
Kweneng Farmers Demonstrate The Benefits Of Improved Technologies<br />
Maun Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) abattoir opens in July<br />
Horticulture projects in Boteti show potential<br />
Agricultural Demonstrator Shines In Hatsalatladi<br />
Livestock And Meat Industries Act Protects All Parties<br />
Dibete Ostrich Multiplication Unit A Viable Project<br />
Botswana College Of <strong>Agriculture</strong> To Turn Into A University<br />
8<br />
10<br />
11<br />
12<br />
13<br />
14<br />
15<br />
16<br />
10<br />
Dr. Moreki says government<br />
also provides funds to young<br />
farmers to set up businesses<br />
including ostrich farming<br />
through Young Farmers Fund<br />
(YFF).<br />
Dr. Segale said in an interview<br />
that the current livestock<br />
census in Ngamiland is 370<br />
000 cattle, noting that the<br />
annual <strong>of</strong>f-take <strong>of</strong> 10-20%<br />
will maintain the abattoir.<br />
14<br />
Managing Editor: Epena Ngatangue<br />
Editor: Kediretswe Pule<br />
Reporters: Felix Mothatego and<br />
France Begensel<br />
Typesetter: Mokgarebe Motswakhumo<br />
Art Director: Keabetswe Molebatsi<br />
Designers: Abadilwe Ralihika<br />
Photographers: Henry Toto, Pius Nkunda & Mothusi Tlale<br />
Address your letters to:<br />
AGRINEWS<br />
Letters to the Editor<br />
P/Bag 003 Gaborone<br />
Tel: 3689135<br />
Fax:3906769<br />
MoA website: www.moa.gov.bw
editor’s note<br />
VIVA MOA – ZONE 4A IS FINALLY FMD FREE<br />
Finally residents <strong>of</strong> Boteti Sub<br />
District, specifically Zone 4A,<br />
can sigh with relief after the<br />
World Organization for Animal<br />
Health (OIE) has recognized<br />
the area a Foot and Mouth<br />
Disease (FMD) free without<br />
vaccination.<br />
Zone 4A is between<br />
Mokobaxane<br />
and<br />
Makalamabedi veterinary<br />
disease control fences in Boteti.<br />
After almost 22 year-spell,<br />
people <strong>of</strong> Boteti living in<br />
uncertainty about the future<br />
<strong>of</strong> the beef industry, they can<br />
now hope for the better. The<br />
first hurdle has been cleared,<br />
now what remains is access to<br />
the European Union lucrative<br />
market. Areas designated FMDfree<br />
without vaccination have<br />
the greatest access to export<br />
markets so it is imperative for<br />
people in Boteti to work hard<br />
to maintain their FMD-free<br />
without vaccination status.<br />
Residents <strong>of</strong> Boteti should<br />
jealously guard against the<br />
introduction <strong>of</strong> vaccinated<br />
or exposed cattle from<br />
neighbouring districts such as<br />
Nata and Ngamiland<br />
The government and indeed<br />
farmers themselves fought<br />
hard for the area to become<br />
what it is now, so we cannot<br />
afford to loose the status as<br />
the expansion <strong>of</strong> the FMD free<br />
zone would open up more<br />
markets for our animals and<br />
animal products.<br />
Farmers should obey all<br />
veterinary protocols and report<br />
any sicknesses detected before<br />
it is too late. They should be<br />
vigilant and ensure that their<br />
animals are branded with<br />
zonal brands and inserted with<br />
BOLUS.<br />
Routine vaccination procedures<br />
should be followed such as for<br />
anthrax and botulism.<br />
Although the government<br />
intends to undertake some<br />
measures to ensure that the<br />
area maintains the status, it is<br />
through the help from farmers<br />
and the general public that<br />
such measures could be fruitful.<br />
The <strong>Ministry</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong><br />
intends to assist the <strong>Ministry</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> Environment, Wildlife and<br />
Tourism with the maintenance<br />
and patrol <strong>of</strong> the Makgadikgadi<br />
wildlife fence, upgrade the<br />
P h e f h o d i a f h o k a - S h o r o b e<br />
cordon fence that separates<br />
Boteti from Ngamiland to a<br />
2.4m high game pro<strong>of</strong> fence and<br />
intensive active surveillance<br />
within a 10km radius along<br />
the Phefhodiafhoka-Shorobe<br />
Cordon fence and the Boteti<br />
river among others<br />
Agrinews congratulates farmers<br />
and indeed the general public<br />
as well as the Department<br />
<strong>of</strong> Veterinary Services for<br />
contributing to the achievement.<br />
Bravo
BOTSWANA SMALL MEDIUM<br />
AND MICRO ENTERPRISE GOOD<br />
FOR DIVERSIFICATION<br />
VP Mompati Merafhe<br />
Article: Theresa Mokgwathi<br />
Photos: Tshepiso Baipidile<br />
The Vice President Mompati Merafhe<br />
says the growth and prosperity <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Small Medium and Micro Enterprise<br />
(SMME) sector is becoming a milestone<br />
in economic diversification and<br />
sustainability in the face <strong>of</strong> mounting<br />
global economic challenges.<br />
Officially opening the SMME Conference<br />
and Fair in Gaborone recently, Vice<br />
President Merafhe said the need to<br />
diversify the country’s economy became<br />
clear with the occurrence <strong>of</strong> the recent<br />
global economic downturn and the<br />
resultant changes in the world markets.<br />
“It is no doubt that the SMME’s with<br />
their relatively low start-up costs and<br />
comparatively high aptitude for diverse<br />
economic activity, can contribute<br />
immensely to the growth <strong>of</strong> the economy.<br />
We as government therefore view<br />
SMMEs as the key contributors to the<br />
transformation <strong>of</strong> Botswana’s economy”<br />
said Merafhe.<br />
He however pointed out that the<br />
development <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs and<br />
enterprises has faced challenges <strong>of</strong><br />
accessing land, finance and markets. He<br />
also said that it is evident that SMMEs<br />
also lack market intelligence and suffer<br />
from capacity constraints.<br />
Merafhe said the entrepreneur being<br />
the basic resource for SMME sector<br />
development, has also succumbed to<br />
dependency as opposed to self reliance,<br />
noting that the kind <strong>of</strong> mindset has as<br />
a result undermined the capacity <strong>of</strong><br />
the entrepreneur to be innovative and<br />
enterprising.<br />
The Vice President was pleased with<br />
that in the midst <strong>of</strong> the occurrence and<br />
impact <strong>of</strong> these impediments, the Local<br />
Enterprise Authority (LEA) has established<br />
programmes and projects which <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
solution oriented services targeting<br />
both SMME’s and buyers. Merafhe<br />
commended LEA’s efforts for bringing yet<br />
another conference and fair, to highlight<br />
the pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> SMMEs in their quest for<br />
increased local market share.<br />
He said that the conference and fair<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers Botswana’s SMMEs an opportunity<br />
to showcase their products and service to<br />
the local procurement fraternity. He went<br />
on to say that the 2010 conference and<br />
fair is specifically aimed at improving<br />
SMME access to local markets by<br />
bringing together the various consumers<br />
that constitute the local procurement<br />
base within the public, private and<br />
SMMEs sector.<br />
He said that conference also <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
the Botswana’s SMMEs an opportunity<br />
to interact with members <strong>of</strong> the small<br />
business community from various<br />
countries in the SADC region. An<br />
opportunity to also interact with the<br />
entire SMME development stakeholder<br />
network made up <strong>of</strong> financiers, enterprise<br />
support institutions, entrepreneurship<br />
development organizations as well<br />
as the general public.<br />
Merafhe said SMMEs<br />
contribute about 32% <strong>of</strong><br />
employment in Botswana,<br />
both in the formal and<br />
informal sector, that<br />
it is vital government<br />
continues to support<br />
SMMEs to access the<br />
entire local procurement<br />
base.<br />
He told the entrepreneurs<br />
that the position that the<br />
government has taken is not<br />
a unique one in the sense that<br />
various governments have utilized<br />
public sector procurement to promote<br />
SMMEs’ access to local markets. He<br />
said in South Africa and United States<br />
<strong>of</strong> America focused their public sector<br />
procurement programme on minority<br />
and women owned businesses. Also in<br />
South Africa public sector procurement<br />
is being utilized as a vehicle to achieve<br />
specific socio economic objectives<br />
such as the promotion <strong>of</strong> targeted small<br />
and medium enterprises, enhanced<br />
job creation opportunities, skills and<br />
technology transfer.<br />
He further said that Botswana is doing<br />
likewise, as they have put in place<br />
preference schemes such as the Local<br />
Procurement Programme (LPP) to support<br />
local industries through public sector<br />
procurement. He on that note said that <strong>of</strong><br />
late the programme has been extended<br />
to cover procurement <strong>of</strong> decorations,<br />
Landscaping, Arts and Crafts produced<br />
by citizens.<br />
Merafhe said that the government<br />
has recently approved an economic<br />
diversification drive initiative which is<br />
intended to utilize Botswana’s purchasing<br />
power to give impetus to the production<br />
<strong>of</strong> locally manufactured goods and<br />
services, adding that through the initiative<br />
the government is committed to enhance<br />
local production as well as reducing its<br />
huge import bill.<br />
Merafhe said that the private sector is also<br />
<strong>of</strong> great importance in the growth <strong>of</strong> the<br />
SMME sector, as it provides a responsive<br />
market base that can contribute to the<br />
establishment, survival and prosperity <strong>of</strong><br />
SMMEs, through its diversity, distribution<br />
and agility. In addition the private sector<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers development opportunities to<br />
SMME suppliers through more strategic<br />
procurement arrangements than those<br />
available in the public sector.<br />
The <strong>Ministry</strong> <strong>of</strong> Trade and Industry through<br />
LEA has pursued a ‘procurement with<br />
capacity building’ initiative named MTI<br />
kick start, where members <strong>of</strong> the private<br />
sector may adopt or link with an SMME<br />
for supply and development purposes.<br />
Further more Merafhe guaranteed that<br />
the private sector has taken heed <strong>of</strong> this<br />
call and confident that such linkages will<br />
increase and SMMEs will become more<br />
competitive.<br />
Merafhe encouraged the private sector<br />
to view this initiative as an opportunity<br />
worth pursuing as it can result in<br />
progressively efficient and pr<strong>of</strong>itable<br />
business operations. He also urged all<br />
SMMEs, as the primary beneficiaries<br />
<strong>of</strong> the initiative, to open up to positive<br />
change so that they can develop to<br />
become stellar enterprises worthy <strong>of</strong><br />
admiration in their respective industries.
He said that growing SMMEs and<br />
ensuring that they are viable in the long<br />
term is one <strong>of</strong> the government’s key<br />
leverage points in its move to eradicate<br />
poverty. Further more he said government<br />
has identified poverty eradication and<br />
economic diversification as its flagship<br />
programmes and his <strong>of</strong>fice is charged<br />
with the responsibility <strong>of</strong> driving their<br />
implementation.<br />
He called upon all stakeholders to<br />
recognize the importance <strong>of</strong> continuity<br />
and collaborative action following<br />
initiatives which have the potential to<br />
support the SMMEs.<br />
Present at the fair were some<br />
entrepreneurs who deal in agricultural<br />
products. Small businesses such as Mocks<br />
Apiaries Investment and CJKK (PTY) LTD.<br />
Mocks Apiaries Investment sells honey<br />
and products made from honey, they are<br />
currently operating in Jwaneng.<br />
Serefete Ramantsima <strong>of</strong> Mocks Apiaries<br />
Investment said that their products are<br />
not yet in the market but very soon they<br />
will be providing local retail stores with<br />
their products.<br />
Choma Matale founder <strong>of</strong> CJKK (PTY)<br />
LTD said that his small business <strong>of</strong> making<br />
drinks from melon is currently operating<br />
from his home in Gabane. Matale said<br />
that he wants people to recognize melon<br />
for its different uses.<br />
He further said he buys melon from<br />
local producers’ country wide. Matale<br />
mentioned that LEA has been very<br />
supportive in assisting him with his small<br />
business<br />
BUFFER ZONE, DOUBLE CORDON FENCE<br />
A LONG TERM STRATEGY TO CONTROL FMD<br />
Article: Kediretswe Pule<br />
Photos: Pius Nkunda<br />
For tourists a buffalo is an important<br />
animal that could form part <strong>of</strong> a wildlife<br />
destination area one could dream <strong>of</strong><br />
visiting, but for Ngamiland residents a<br />
buffalo is a carrier <strong>of</strong> a virus that causes<br />
Foot and Mouth disease (FMD). The<br />
residents would want them to be buffered<br />
<strong>of</strong>f or removed completely from the<br />
Ngamiland area to prevent them from<br />
mingling with cattle. Because buffaloes<br />
are carriers <strong>of</strong> FMD the residents are<br />
worried that from time to time they mix<br />
with their animals and spread the FMD<br />
viruses.<br />
Whether construction <strong>of</strong> a buffer-zone<br />
and double cordon fence is enough to<br />
save the situation or not, is yet to be seen.<br />
But for now, government has decided<br />
to construct a buffer Zone between<br />
Ngamiland and Ghanzi district to prevent<br />
cattle from both site from mixing. The<br />
major part <strong>of</strong> this FMD free zone (Ghanzi<br />
District) export meat to lucrative Eupean<br />
Union (EU) market. If these areas are not<br />
safed from the spread <strong>of</strong> FMD disease<br />
the country would lose this market. In<br />
addition a double cordon fence will<br />
be built between the Okavango Delta<br />
wet-lands that harbour buffalos and<br />
Ngamiland to bar buffalos from mixing<br />
with cattle in the area.<br />
On that note government has decided<br />
to move people away from Kuke fence<br />
where the buffer zone will be constructed.<br />
About 4 farmer syndicates and 2 ranches<br />
in Ngamiland and 4 ranches on the<br />
Ghanzi district side will be moved to<br />
pave way for the construction buffer zone.<br />
A 2.4 metres Game pro<strong>of</strong> fence will be<br />
constructed that covers a radius <strong>of</strong> 16 km<br />
length. The dimensions shows that the<br />
buffer zone will take 8 km radius from<br />
Ghanzi areas and 8 km from Ngamiland<br />
sides to form the 16 Km buffer zone.<br />
The buffer zone will stretch from the<br />
interjection <strong>of</strong> the Botwana/Namibia<br />
border on the West to Phefodiafoka. The<br />
buffer zone wil cost up to P16Million.<br />
As for the buffalo fences 2 fences <strong>of</strong> 1.4<br />
metres will be erected 10 killometres<br />
apart to fence <strong>of</strong>f the buffalo fence from<br />
Ngamiland district and restrict them<br />
in the Okavango delta wetlands. The<br />
buffalo fence will cover 300km in length<br />
by the time <strong>of</strong> writing the report a 196 Km<br />
<strong>of</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> the fences was covered.<br />
The buffalo fence costs will go up to P40<br />
Million.<br />
To reinforce the control measures, an<br />
amount totaling P22 million will be<br />
used annually to perform vaccination<br />
campaigns in Ngamiland. Three<br />
vaccination campaigns will be performed<br />
three times annually instead <strong>of</strong> twice as<br />
it was previously to increase efficiency <strong>of</strong><br />
the exercise
Boteti Sub District farmers<br />
BOTETI SUB DISTRICT FREE FROM<br />
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE<br />
Article & Photos: Epena Ngatangue<br />
It was all ululation and merriment at a series<br />
<strong>of</strong> Kgotla meetings in the Boteti Sub District<br />
when the Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong> Christiaan De<br />
Graaff announced that the area (zone 4A) has<br />
been approved as a Foot and Mouth Disease<br />
(FMD) free without vaccination.<br />
“Today I am here to announce to you that zone<br />
4A has been approved as an FMD free without<br />
vaccination zone; meaning that cattle and<br />
other cloven ho<strong>of</strong>ed animals in this area are<br />
now <strong>of</strong> the same FMD status as those in the<br />
‘green zone’, announced Minister De Graaff to<br />
a rapturous uproar from the crowd in Mopipi<br />
village.<br />
Minister De Graaff addressed Kgotla meetings<br />
in Mopipi, Xumo, Rakops and Kumaga.<br />
The Minister congratulated farmers and the<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Veterinary Services as well as<br />
the general public for the their contribution<br />
towards the achievement while warning that<br />
maintaining the FMD free status will present<br />
many challenges especially given the FMD<br />
situation in neighbouring Ngamiland.<br />
De Graaff said the challenges would require<br />
serious commitment and vigilance otherwise<br />
the disease will be re-introduced into the<br />
district.<br />
“Therefore I wish to urge and encourage<br />
all <strong>of</strong> you to jealously guard against the<br />
introduction <strong>of</strong> vaccinated or exposed cattle<br />
from neighbouring districts such as Nata and<br />
Ngamiland as this might contribute to the<br />
introduction <strong>of</strong> FMD in this area,” he warned.<br />
Minister De Graaff said as part <strong>of</strong> a long term<br />
strategy to maintain the FMD free status <strong>of</strong><br />
Zone 4A the ministry will assist the <strong>Ministry</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> Environment, Wildlife and Tourism with the<br />
maintenance and patrol <strong>of</strong> the Makgadikgadi<br />
wildlife fence and upgrade the Phefodiafhoka-<br />
Shorobe cordon fence that separates Boteti<br />
from Ngamiland to a 2.4m high game pro<strong>of</strong><br />
fence.<br />
The ministry will also intensify active<br />
surveillance for foot and mouth disease within<br />
a 10km radius along the Phefodiafhoka-<br />
Shorobe Cordon Fence and Boteti River – that<br />
is create a surveillance zone. All crushes<br />
that fall within the surveillance zone will be<br />
monitored regularly.<br />
Minister De Graaff said the 10km surveillance<br />
zone and the flowing Boteti River have been<br />
identified as FMD high-risk areas because <strong>of</strong><br />
their proximity to Ngamiland and the Park.<br />
The intensified surveillance will increase the<br />
chances <strong>of</strong> detecting FMD early, he said.<br />
“We shall also explore the possibility <strong>of</strong><br />
creating a livestock free buffer zone between<br />
Ngamiland and Zone 4A,” he said.<br />
Minister De Graaff further said the declaration<br />
<strong>of</strong> Zone 4A as an FMD free zone has opened<br />
opportunities for beef from this area to access<br />
the European Union and other lucrative<br />
international markets. Farmers will also be<br />
able to take their livestock to other FMD free<br />
zones in the country.<br />
“Therefore, we are negotiating with our<br />
international trading partners for them to take<br />
beef products from this zone,” he said.<br />
The Minister further said the current<br />
movement controls would remain in place<br />
until negotiations have been concluded.<br />
For their part residents commended the<br />
ministry for making their area FMD free<br />
and appealed to the ministry to expedited<br />
negotiations with the European market. They<br />
promised the minister that they will do<br />
everything to maintain the FMD free status <strong>of</strong><br />
their areas and called for vigorous monitoring<br />
<strong>of</strong> zonal brands.<br />
On other issues residents complained about<br />
the late distribution <strong>of</strong> seeds as well as<br />
shortage <strong>of</strong> tractors and vaccines in Livestock<br />
Advisory Centers (LAC). They also complained<br />
about irregular insertion <strong>of</strong> BOLUS.<br />
In Rakops one farmer said since their area has<br />
been saved from FMD, it is for them now to<br />
teach other farmers in FMD prone areas on<br />
how to successfully fight the disease.<br />
When responding to some <strong>of</strong> the complaints,<br />
Minister De Graaff warned tractor owners<br />
who overcharge farmers that they will be<br />
pushing them out <strong>of</strong> the market because<br />
they will be blacklisted in future. He said the<br />
prices for ploughing and planting have been<br />
well thought and researched as such found<br />
appropriate.<br />
Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong> Christiaan De Graaff<br />
holding OIE certificate<br />
On shortage <strong>of</strong> vaccines at LACs, the minister<br />
said after encountering some hiccups, the<br />
<strong>Ministry</strong> has decided to buy vaccines directly<br />
from manufacturers a thing he said would<br />
improve vaccine distribution.<br />
On BOLUS, he said things have been<br />
normalized after a company to supply and<br />
maintain the system has been hired.<br />
Minister De Graaff further said LIMID has been<br />
reviewed and those elements, which have been<br />
found to be rewarding, have been maintained.<br />
On ISPAAD he said the programme would now<br />
cover horticulture.<br />
All in all it remains to be seen whether the<br />
ululation and merriment, which met Minister<br />
De Graaff, would translate to the sustainance <strong>of</strong><br />
the green zone for the betterment <strong>of</strong> livelihood<br />
in that area.<br />
When saying a vote <strong>of</strong> thanks in all the meetings,<br />
the Member <strong>of</strong> Parliament for the area, Mr<br />
Slumber Tsogwane congratulated the Minister<br />
for a job well done and encouraged him to do<br />
what he thinks is best for the country without<br />
fear or favour.<br />
He said politicians will say negative thinks<br />
about him personally but that should not deter<br />
him from performing to the fulliest<br />
May 2010
“We Can not Feed the Nation from<br />
Idle Land” -President Khama tells<br />
Agricultural Pitso<br />
The President Sertetse Khama Ian Khama says<br />
he is disturbed by the amount <strong>of</strong> agricultural<br />
land which is lying uncultivated yet the<br />
country imports over 60% <strong>of</strong> most agricultural<br />
products.<br />
been controlled if more effort was exerted. He<br />
said that due to this Government is committed<br />
to assist only those farmers who have shown<br />
commitment in managing their fields.<br />
Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo<br />
Speaking at the forum the Assistant Minister<br />
Oreeditse Molebatsi said in any endeavour<br />
they embark on Batswana should adopt the<br />
motto <strong>of</strong> “agriculture first,” noting that one<br />
hectare <strong>of</strong> arable land could turn into a viable<br />
agricultural business.<br />
President Seretse Khama Ian Khama (L) and Moeng Pheto<br />
“We can not feed the nation from idle land<br />
therefore we have to invest in agriculture and<br />
manage the farming businesses to maximise<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>its,” he said.<br />
Officially opening the <strong>Ministry</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong><br />
Consultative forum {Pitso} , President<br />
Khama said his government has identified<br />
the agricultural sector as the main driver <strong>of</strong><br />
poverty eradication , noting that the sector be<br />
supported to ensure people have enough food<br />
and even export surplus.<br />
The theme for the Pitso was “Rethinking<br />
Agricultural Development: Focusing on<br />
Breakthrough Areas.”<br />
President Khama said the theme was<br />
appropriate as it comes at a time when the<br />
government want to revive the agricultural<br />
sector to enable it to pla a meaningful role<br />
in the development <strong>of</strong> the economy. The<br />
breakthrogh areas are dairy, horticulture,<br />
cereal and smallstock as well as bee keeping..<br />
These are farming enterprises the <strong>Ministry</strong><br />
wants to make a significant impact on, in the<br />
short to medium term.<br />
He said the Integrated Support Programme<br />
for Arable <strong>Agriculture</strong> Development {ISPAAD}<br />
which was introduced in July 2008 resulted<br />
in over two fold in cereal yields noting that<br />
through ISPAAD more can still be achieved if<br />
farmers can rise to the occasion and be more<br />
committed.<br />
Khama however said they are some farmers<br />
who do not look after their ploughed fields<br />
and consequently attain low yields as a result<br />
<strong>of</strong> weeds and bird damage that could have<br />
“I therefore call upon all arable farmer<br />
organisations to assist government in weeding<br />
out non-farmers from the ISPAAD programme,”<br />
he said.<br />
He said efforts to reduce the amount <strong>of</strong> goods<br />
and services imported are already bearing fruit,<br />
noting that under this initiative schools bought<br />
for the first time, local agriculture produce<br />
such as watermelons and green mealies for<br />
school feeding programmes this season.<br />
The <strong>Ministry</strong> <strong>of</strong> Local Government bought<br />
thousands <strong>of</strong> tonnes <strong>of</strong> grain from the<br />
Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board for its<br />
various feeding programmes.<br />
On dairy farming, President Khama said<br />
the government is aware <strong>of</strong> the high cost <strong>of</strong><br />
inputs associated with establishment <strong>of</strong> a dairy<br />
enterprise and as such he encourageddairy<br />
entrepreneurs to grow fodder with assistance<br />
from ISPAAD to reduce the feed bill as it is<br />
feed which is critical to the sustance <strong>of</strong> the<br />
dairy business.<br />
For his part, the Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong><br />
Christiaan De Graaff said agriculture business<br />
is faced with challenges which may inhibt its<br />
growth and prosperity.<br />
He said the challenges are evident across the<br />
spectrum from primary production through<br />
processing and marketing all the way to the<br />
consumer.<br />
“It is important to note that these challenges are<br />
many and complex,” he said.<br />
De Graaff said the challenges vary from natural<br />
phenomenon such as climatic conditions to<br />
market related scenarios.<br />
Assistant Minister Molebatsi decried some<br />
dairy companies which have put their milk<br />
standards very high, higher than those <strong>of</strong><br />
Bureau <strong>of</strong> Standards Such companies, he said<br />
rejects milk from local farmers.<br />
Molebatsi said ISPAAD has proved that<br />
Batswana can produce enough food to feed<br />
the nation.<br />
When presenting on bee production a bee<br />
farmer, Mr. Ontiretse Mochangana decried<br />
lack <strong>of</strong> support from government as well as<br />
inadequate market outlets.<br />
Another farmer from the Southern District Mr<br />
Odirile Patle emphasised the importance soil<br />
testing before one embarks in arable farming.<br />
Tshepo Masire a beef producer said that one<br />
Pitso is not enough for them.<br />
He urged farmers to always be closer to their<br />
agricultural business entity, noting that they<br />
can not be good farmers when they stay very<br />
far from their cattle posts. He said water<br />
shortage is a problem in many districts and<br />
urged the government supply water to farmers.<br />
Masire said that they are many cattle in the<br />
Ngwaketsi district but the problem is lack <strong>of</strong><br />
infrastructure such as roads to supply to the<br />
BMC.<br />
For his part Mr. W Herbst, a dairy farmer<br />
said that they have a problem with milk by<br />
products adding that they are no processors<br />
who can assist them package and produce<br />
many products from the dairy. He is crying <strong>of</strong><br />
lack <strong>of</strong> support from the government<br />
Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo who was then<br />
acting Permanent Secretary emphasized<br />
proper management to the farmers<br />
Gaseboiwe Peter<br />
May 2010
tools, infrastructure and skills to become<br />
commercially viable.<br />
They would provide in-house advice and<br />
back-up support and training services<br />
as well as access to tractors, ploughs<br />
and ploughing services to farmers to<br />
guarantee maximum output.<br />
The centers would also host training<br />
days to provide an opportunity to build<br />
and cement personal relationships with<br />
producers and stakeholders which<br />
would result in mutual trust which<br />
forms the backbone <strong>of</strong> successful<br />
farming ventures.<br />
Dr. Christopher Manthe<br />
FARMER SERVICE CENTRES<br />
TO OPERATE AS RETAIL<br />
Article: Epena Ngatangue<br />
The Acting Director <strong>of</strong> the National<br />
Master Plan for Arable <strong>Agriculture</strong> and<br />
Dairy Development (NAMPAADD)<br />
Dr. Christopher Manthe says<br />
farmers’ service centers will pioneer<br />
mechanization <strong>of</strong> agriculture by<br />
developing a suitable model that can<br />
be used to increase machinery usage.<br />
Speaking in an interview, Dr. Manthe<br />
said the centers will operate as retail<br />
outlets to support commercial farming<br />
by selling agricultural inputs including<br />
agro-chemicals, veterinary requisites,<br />
animal feeds, seeds, fertilizers, packing<br />
bags and selected spare parts. They<br />
will also provide contract services for<br />
ploughing, planting and harvesting<br />
<strong>of</strong> rainfed crops. Other services to<br />
be provided are extension support<br />
to clients including technical advice,<br />
financial planning and marketing<br />
services.<br />
Such centers, he said, will be passed to<br />
the private sector to operate when their<br />
role and operation methods are well<br />
established.<br />
Currently there is one center in<br />
Goodhope but others will be<br />
constructed in other high potential<br />
areas with time.<br />
“The centers will enable<br />
farmers to have access to<br />
farming implements and<br />
other requirements<br />
at reasonably low<br />
prices from a<br />
c o n v e n i e n t<br />
single location<br />
so that they<br />
(farmers) do<br />
not waste a<br />
lot <strong>of</strong> time and<br />
fuel in search <strong>of</strong><br />
basic inputs,” he<br />
said.<br />
He said the centers<br />
would be about providing<br />
the individual farmer with<br />
On the long term benefits <strong>of</strong> the centers,<br />
Dr. Manthe further said they would<br />
enable emerging farmers to become<br />
commercial, adopting improved<br />
farming methods and techniques thus<br />
making agriculture more attractive and<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>itable.<br />
He said the centers would create<br />
employment opportunities, increase<br />
rural incomes and reduce rural urban<br />
migration.<br />
On the difference between the<br />
centers and the existing Rural Training<br />
Centers, Dr. Manthe said essentially<br />
NAMPAADD services centers are<br />
business premises where commercial<br />
farmers purchase farm inputs, access<br />
business information, and receive<br />
extension advice.<br />
“Key partners at service centers will<br />
be CEDA, NDB, private banks, farmer<br />
associations and individual farmers,” he<br />
said.<br />
He further said for their part Production<br />
and Training Centers (PTFs) were<br />
established to show case technologies<br />
that improve agricultural productivity.<br />
PTFs also serve as training facilities for<br />
farmers and extension workers.<br />
According to Dr. Manthe, one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
greatest problems farmers encountered,<br />
which prompted the idea <strong>of</strong> coming up<br />
with the centers, was access to machinery,<br />
farming inputs and pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
support. He said a study conducted by<br />
consulting engineers showed that it is<br />
not economically viable for individual<br />
farmers cultivating less than 150<br />
hectares to own machinery hence the<br />
establishment <strong>of</strong> the agricultural service<br />
center in Goodhope.<br />
The service center was bought from<br />
the Rural Industry Promotion Company<br />
(RIPCO) at slightly over P3 million. A<br />
farm manager is currently operating it<br />
and it is anticipated that more staff will<br />
be deployed.<br />
The four tractors and other implements<br />
at the center were bought early this year<br />
for over P7 million. The tractors and<br />
implements available has a capacity to<br />
bring 3 000 hectares into production<br />
per season<br />
May 2010
Botswana’s <strong>karakul</strong> <strong>renaissance</strong><br />
Article: Felix Mothatego<br />
Photos: Mothusi Tlale<br />
Very few are enjoying the benefits <strong>of</strong><br />
exporting <strong>karakul</strong> pelts to Europe.<br />
Hendrick Esterhuizen <strong>of</strong> Welkom farm,<br />
which is located a stone throw from<br />
Bokspits and struizendam villages is<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the farmers making the statistics.<br />
Welkom is also located along the border<br />
fence between Botswana and Namibia.<br />
He said <strong>karakul</strong> is the skin <strong>of</strong> newborn or<br />
even unborn lambs, prized for its s<strong>of</strong>tness<br />
and silk-like texture. The newborn are<br />
slaughtered immediately after birth<br />
because their silky pelt would fetch a<br />
high price on the export market.<br />
Once the lamb is a few days old, its pelt<br />
looses the characteristics-silk watered<br />
look; it dries out and becomes longer. At<br />
that point it is ordinary sheepskin, sold<br />
for a fraction <strong>of</strong> the price <strong>of</strong> <strong>karakul</strong>.<br />
The fur enjoys wide demand in Europe,<br />
where it is made into high-priced coats.<br />
The skins go mainly to Britain, Denmark,<br />
Finland and China, he added. The most<br />
common colours are grey and black,<br />
although beige and other tints are also<br />
popular.<br />
Hendrick said preparing <strong>karakul</strong> skins for<br />
use is a laborious and time-consuming<br />
process, which in part accounts for the<br />
high price <strong>of</strong> the pelts. When describing<br />
the procedure he said the small pelt is<br />
first washed clean, and sprinkled with<br />
salt before it is put in special trays, and<br />
left in the sun to dry. After they dry, the<br />
skins are cut into pieces ready for export.<br />
He then packages them in a way that<br />
would not affect the quality during<br />
transportation, and then he applies for<br />
the permit to export to South Africa.<br />
The products are then quarantined for<br />
30 days here in Botswana, South Africa,<br />
and Namibia before they are flown to<br />
Europe. He said it would then take up<br />
to six months to get any feedback from<br />
Europe. He said an average price for a<br />
pelt is P500.00, and sometimes even<br />
much more depending on the quality.<br />
Hendrick said before 1985 the process<br />
<strong>of</strong> exporting was not as tedious as it<br />
is to date. He said <strong>karakul</strong> producers<br />
were many and would produce 30 000<br />
pelts per year, but now there are about<br />
three to four active farmers in Bokspits<br />
village. He said most <strong>of</strong> the producers<br />
lost confidence in <strong>karakul</strong> due to the<br />
collapse <strong>of</strong> the <strong>karakul</strong> market in 1985.<br />
“However, the market has now recovered<br />
and prices are even much better than in<br />
the past because a pellet used to be sold<br />
for P6”, he said.<br />
He said the hardy <strong>karakul</strong> sheep<br />
withstands the harsh climate <strong>of</strong><br />
Botswana’s south, with its cold winter and<br />
brutally hot summers. He said <strong>karakul</strong>s<br />
are not complicated to control because<br />
they forage in groups as compared to<br />
goats which scatter all-over the place<br />
when foraging. He also said <strong>karakul</strong>s<br />
have to be shaved regularly because they<br />
quickly grow to wool. He said he waters<br />
them every morning before they go out<br />
on their foraging trip, and that they return<br />
at dusk by themselves.<br />
Hendrick said he first learnt about<br />
<strong>karakul</strong> production in 1964 when he was<br />
still a young man working for the then<br />
“Germany West”, which is now Namibia.<br />
He was working under supervision <strong>of</strong> a<br />
scientist doing research on these animals.<br />
He also said he has been passing <strong>karakul</strong><br />
production skills to his children and<br />
grandchildren all his life so that they<br />
know that they understand is survival<br />
skills<br />
<strong>karakul</strong><br />
May 2010
KWENENG FARMERS<br />
THE BENEFITS<br />
Batlhopi<br />
Gaoakanye<br />
May 2010
DEMONSTRATE<br />
OF IMPROVED<br />
TECHNOLOGIES<br />
Article: Kediretswe Pule<br />
Photos: Pius Nkunda<br />
Two demonstration farmers,<br />
Thomas Batlhopi, and<br />
Oalotswe Gaoakanye recently<br />
showcased the benefits <strong>of</strong><br />
using improved technologies<br />
to farmers that attended<br />
Takatokwane extension area<br />
farmer’s field day.<br />
The duo had implemented<br />
improved agricultural<br />
technologies such as row<br />
planting, application <strong>of</strong><br />
fertilizers and choice variety, in<br />
order to improve productivity<br />
in their crop fields.<br />
The results <strong>of</strong> the<br />
demonstrations in the field<br />
showed that compared to<br />
Khalahari Earl Pearl maize<br />
local variety, a hybrid variety,<br />
CS403, performs better under<br />
restrained water moisture.<br />
This years ploughing season<br />
was characterized by light<br />
drizzles <strong>of</strong> rain and heat<br />
stress, but SC403 still showed<br />
fast growth under heat stress<br />
compared to Khalahari Earl<br />
Pearl. The variety showed that<br />
it borne big cobs compared to<br />
the other variety.<br />
On another field the farmer<br />
showed that application <strong>of</strong><br />
fertilizers enhances good crop<br />
stand and yield. The farmers<br />
applied basal dressing with<br />
single supper phosphate and<br />
top dressing with LAN.<br />
The crop stand where fertilizers<br />
were applied showed fast<br />
growth, flowered early and<br />
bore fruits at the same time.<br />
Agricultural demonstrator<br />
Kweneng West farmer’s committe<br />
chairperson<br />
May 2010
Dr. Raborokgwe<br />
MAUN<br />
BOTSWANA MEAT COMMISSION<br />
ABATTOIR OPENS IN JULY<br />
Article: Epena Ngatangue<br />
The Deputy Director <strong>of</strong> Veterinary<br />
Services Dr. Kobedi Segale says there is<br />
enough cattle in Ngamiland to sustain the<br />
Maun Botswana Meat Commission (BMC)<br />
abattoir due to be opened in July this year.<br />
Dr. Segale said in an interview that the<br />
current livestock census in Ngamiland is<br />
370 000 cattle, noting that the annual <strong>of</strong>ftake<br />
<strong>of</strong> 10-20% will maintain the abattoir.<br />
On the long-term benefits <strong>of</strong> the abattoir,<br />
Dr. Segale said it would improve the<br />
livelihoods <strong>of</strong> Ngamiland residents as<br />
well as improving available local markets.<br />
On the hand, the Chief Executive Officer<br />
<strong>of</strong> BMC Dr. Motshudi Raborokgwe<br />
said the government is aware <strong>of</strong> the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> the Maun abattoir to the<br />
economy <strong>of</strong> Ngamiland.<br />
He said people in Ngamiland depend<br />
mostly on livestock production for their<br />
livelihoods. Farmers have been without<br />
a source <strong>of</strong> income since the Foot and<br />
Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in 2007<br />
and opening <strong>of</strong> the abattoir will alleviate<br />
and reduce poverty.<br />
Dr. Raborokgwe said another long-term<br />
benefit is the injection <strong>of</strong> money to the<br />
local economy each year in the form <strong>of</strong><br />
payments for cattle.<br />
He said the abattoir will directly employ<br />
approximately 100 people, most <strong>of</strong> whom<br />
will be recruited locally, noting that the<br />
BMC will also contract out plant services<br />
where possible to local firms, further<br />
creating employment in Ngamiland.<br />
“The opening <strong>of</strong> the abattoir will reduce<br />
the pressure on the land which currently<br />
has more than the land can bear,” he said.<br />
On the constraints, Dr. Raborokgwe said<br />
the primary one is going to be the water<br />
supply. He said the Department <strong>of</strong> Water<br />
Affairs has advised that they cannot<br />
guarantee a supply for 100 cattle kill pay<br />
day now and will not be able to supply<br />
water to enable an increased throughput<br />
inside a 3 to 5 year time frame.<br />
“Alternative groundwater supplies are<br />
poor quality and not suitable for process<br />
use inside the plant,” he said.<br />
He said they are looking at possibilities<br />
<strong>of</strong> installing a large reservoir for buffer<br />
storage, installing water efficient<br />
equipment and adopting water efficient<br />
practices in process areas and using<br />
recycled water on the grounds and in<br />
washing yards.<br />
“We are also looking at working with<br />
Maun Secondary School to access water<br />
from the Thamalakane River at the<br />
school’s approved extraction site,” he said.<br />
Dr. Raborokgwe said as the water supply<br />
might not be in place by test-slaughter<br />
date, contingency plans are in place to<br />
bowse in water until adequate water<br />
storage is in place.<br />
He said the other problem is that <strong>of</strong><br />
the sewerage ponds which are behind<br />
schedule, noting that contingency plans<br />
being looked at are transporting the waste<br />
from the site or storing it at a temporary<br />
site until the ponds are complete.<br />
Dr. Raborokgwe concurred with Dr.<br />
Segale that there are enough cattle to<br />
sustain the abattoir, adding that the plant<br />
will be killing around 30, 000 cattle a year<br />
at best allowing for overtime and weekend<br />
kills. “We are aware that this however<br />
will take a long time to clear the backlog<br />
<strong>of</strong> cattle ready for slaughter,” he said.<br />
On plans to export the beef, Dr.<br />
Raborokgwe said under the prevailing<br />
FMD situation, what can be absorbed<br />
within Ngamiland will be sold within the<br />
area in fresh form. The remainder <strong>of</strong> the<br />
throughput will be hot deboned, and then<br />
heat- treated. The product will be then<br />
be shipped to the cannery in Lobatse for<br />
production <strong>of</strong> stewed steak in cans.<br />
Dr. Raborokgwe further said the<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Veterinary Services has<br />
recently given BMC the dispensation<br />
to sell the product in the EU areas <strong>of</strong><br />
Botswana provided the product passes<br />
set standards.<br />
“Once the Foot and Mouth Disease situation<br />
is under control BMC will then look<br />
for markets outside Botswana,” he said.<br />
He said a heat treatment facility is<br />
currently being put in place together<br />
with the refurbishment, noting that the<br />
abattoir is re-furbished to the extent<br />
that once operational, it will continue<br />
kill irrespective <strong>of</strong> the FMD status <strong>of</strong><br />
Ngamiland<br />
This means that facilities have to be put<br />
in place to heat-treat the product before<br />
it can be marketed outside <strong>of</strong> Ngamiland.<br />
He said even during an active FMD<br />
outbreak in some part <strong>of</strong> Ngamiland,<br />
boxed beef will after meeting all<br />
maturation requirements be allowed to<br />
be moved and sold outside Ngamiland if<br />
produced from areas deemed free <strong>of</strong> FMD.<br />
According to Dr. Raborokgwe the total<br />
cost <strong>of</strong> refurbishment is P75 million after<br />
taking into consideration the latest EU<br />
plant requirements as well as the new<br />
environmental laws.<br />
He said the refurbishment timetable<br />
is determined by the delivery and<br />
installation <strong>of</strong> imported equipment, some<br />
<strong>of</strong> which has up to 4 to 5 months delivery<br />
period. “So the major activities will be<br />
after equipment arrives which is mid<br />
May 2010 and the installation packaging<br />
and heat treatment equipment mid June<br />
2010,” he said.<br />
He said the heat treatment facility is a<br />
completely new plant and is to be started<br />
from scratch.<br />
Dr. Raborokgwe further said when the<br />
abattoir starts operating, there is going<br />
to be more cattle available than can be<br />
killed and appealed to farmers to be<br />
patient and work with BMC to ensure all<br />
get a chance to send cattle and that kill<br />
progresses in an orderly manner.<br />
He said a Quota Allocation Committee,<br />
which includes farmers, has been set up<br />
to issue quotas to farmers for kill once the<br />
abattoir opens<br />
May 2010
Horticulture projects<br />
in<br />
Boteti show potential<br />
Article: France Begensel<br />
Photos: Mothusi Tlale<br />
Despite many challenges such as<br />
bad roads in areas <strong>of</strong> production,<br />
distances to established markets, lack<br />
<strong>of</strong> water, marauding pests and lack<br />
<strong>of</strong> technical know-how, horticulture<br />
projects in Boteti are prospering.<br />
This has been encouraged by the<br />
recent flooding <strong>of</strong> the Boteti River after<br />
more than 20 years. Baikitsi Keitatotse<br />
<strong>of</strong> Makalamabedi saw potential in<br />
the river and decided on a vegetable<br />
production project along the banks <strong>of</strong><br />
the river where he has a farm. He says<br />
that initially he was not interested in<br />
horticulture because <strong>of</strong> the hard work it<br />
entails. He says “the fact that you have<br />
to be there all the time scarred me, this<br />
is because with cattle you just give<br />
them water and let them go and graze.”<br />
Keitatotse says he started his project<br />
from the little savings he had. He though<br />
aspires to get a CEDA loan so that he<br />
could expand his business. He discloses<br />
that in his garden he grows spinach,<br />
chomolia, rape, butternuts and cabbage.<br />
He says he is worried because some <strong>of</strong><br />
these crops do not do well because <strong>of</strong><br />
the rampant pests in the area. He laments<br />
that though there are many hippos in the<br />
area, they have not yet raided his garden.<br />
As for the market, Keitatotse says he<br />
arranged with some chain shops like<br />
Choppies and Shoprite stores in Maun to<br />
buy his produce. He says “the problem<br />
is that I can not meet their high demand<br />
as I have just started production.” He<br />
reveals that he also caters for the<br />
home based care and the destitute<br />
who he supplies in a monthly basis.<br />
He discloses that with the river so full <strong>of</strong><br />
water, he will only have himself to blame<br />
if he does not prosper. He adds that in<br />
the past water shortage was a major<br />
limitation to production. He encourages<br />
other Batswana especially those living<br />
near rivers to venture into agriculture<br />
projects and use the vast water resource.<br />
For Rebagamang Mbende, life has<br />
never been the same since he ventured<br />
into vegetable production. He says that<br />
he is happy the people in his village<br />
<strong>of</strong> Moreomaoto look up to him for the<br />
provision <strong>of</strong> vegetables. He says that he<br />
is the only one in the village who sells<br />
vegetables in the neighboring villages.<br />
Mbende says “I realized that residents<br />
had to travel a long way to Maun to get<br />
vegetables, it was very expensive for them<br />
to travel that long and the vegetables were<br />
also expensive, and that are sometimes<br />
traveled there only to find there are<br />
not any vegetables”. He adds that also<br />
noticed that destitute and the home<br />
based care caretakers were desperately<br />
in need <strong>of</strong> vegetables. He saw potential<br />
in this and started growing vegetables.<br />
He says that he already had a field<br />
when he needs to grow maize, sorghum,<br />
watermelons and beans. He decided to<br />
change this field into a garden where he<br />
could grow vegetables. He beamingly<br />
says that the close proximity <strong>of</strong> his farm/<br />
field to the Boteti river is more than a<br />
blessing. He says he does not have to<br />
worry about drilling a borehole because<br />
<strong>of</strong> availability <strong>of</strong> water in the river.<br />
Though it is his first year in production,<br />
Mbende says he made a lot <strong>of</strong> money<br />
from selling vegetables. He says “the<br />
Baikitsi Keitatotse<br />
agric demonstrator <strong>of</strong> our village has<br />
been my pillar <strong>of</strong> strength, he has<br />
always been there for me. “He says<br />
with his lack <strong>of</strong> know how in this, he<br />
could never have achieved what he has.<br />
Although Mbende is happy with his<br />
business, he decries the unavailability<br />
<strong>of</strong> pesticides in their area saying they<br />
get it far away in Maun or Letlhakane.<br />
He also decries their cost saying its too<br />
high for small scale farmer like him. The<br />
unavailability <strong>of</strong> seeds/seedlings is also a<br />
major hindrance to production. He says<br />
they get them from a far and that sometimes<br />
it takes a while for them to be availed. He<br />
reveals that things could be different if the<br />
government provided them with seeds.<br />
Mbende grows cabbage, which he sells<br />
at P12 a head, tomatoes, rape,onions<br />
and spinach. He though reveals that<br />
cabbage is the most outstanding crop in<br />
the area the reason he allocated a large<br />
chunk <strong>of</strong> land to it. He s though worried<br />
by a worm which he cannot identify<br />
clearly stating that it bores into the<br />
leaves <strong>of</strong> the cabbage. He says plans are<br />
underway to expand his 1 hector to plant<br />
more crop as there is plenty <strong>of</strong> water.<br />
Mbende also reveals that lack <strong>of</strong> garden<br />
implements limits him from achieving<br />
his goals. He says he needs a tractor to<br />
turn over the soil but it is beyond his<br />
abilities to acquire one. Another problem<br />
he says is because the Ispaad programme<br />
was not extended to their area, saying<br />
may be he would borrow a tractor from<br />
the programme to plough his land.<br />
He currently has one one employee and<br />
hopes to hire more when his business<br />
expands<br />
May 2010
Kedikilwe Kedikilwe<br />
AGRICULTURAL<br />
DEMONSTRATOR<br />
SHINES IN HATSALATLADI<br />
Article: Priscilla Nthaga<br />
Photo: Tshepiso Baipidile<br />
Kweneng East Agricultural Demonstrator<br />
Joshua Pagiwa was recently put on the<br />
spot light when most farmers in the<br />
area said his hardwork and dedication<br />
inspired them to strive for better yields<br />
in their fields.<br />
Mr. Pagiwa was man <strong>of</strong> the moment<br />
during the tour <strong>of</strong> some fields in<br />
Kweneng East during a Field Day<br />
held in Hatsalatladi. Most farmers<br />
said they could have abandoned their<br />
fields if it was not for Mr. Pagiwa who<br />
encouraged them not to despaIr amidst<br />
many challenges <strong>of</strong> pests.<br />
The first field to be toured was <strong>of</strong><br />
Obateng Kwenaetsile who planted<br />
Kalahari Early Pearl (K.E.P) maize<br />
variety. He said his farm had cynodon<br />
dactylon weed (motlhwa) and Mr.<br />
Pagiwa taught him how to fight the<br />
weed. “He encouraged me to spend<br />
P700 on chemical to spray the weed<br />
that was about to make me desert the<br />
farm,” he said with delight.<br />
Kwenaetsile further said he was happy<br />
with the yields as the maize he planted<br />
could withstand harsh weather.<br />
The second field was for Michael<br />
Rantao and Thapelo Otisitswe who have<br />
planted a 48 hectares <strong>of</strong> sunflower, 15<br />
hectares <strong>of</strong> peanuts and nine hectares<br />
<strong>of</strong> cow peas. They said the Seed<br />
Management Unit in Sebele gave them<br />
the seeds to start the project. The unit is<br />
now their main market. They also sell to<br />
other farmers who want to be engaged<br />
in same project.<br />
Another farmer, Philly Johnson and<br />
his partner Innocent Nanga planted a<br />
high brid <strong>of</strong> white and yellow maize.<br />
Johnson revealed that white maize was<br />
broadcasted while the yellow one was<br />
row planted. He said row planting<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>fed to be advantageous as the yields<br />
were far much better.<br />
Johnson said that yellow and white<br />
maize are not supposed to be planted<br />
at the same place thus they decided to<br />
plant sweet reeds in between to avoid<br />
cross polliination.<br />
He further said setlhabakolobe and<br />
mmabasetlha weeds are giving them<br />
sleepless nights adding that to spray<br />
the weeds is very expensive.<br />
Neo Motlhabane, one <strong>of</strong> the farmers<br />
whose farm was toured ploughed 240<br />
hectares <strong>of</strong> maize, peanuts, sweet<br />
potatoes and peas. He said that despite<br />
the heat wave they experienced for<br />
two months he is expecting a high<br />
yield due to the improved farming<br />
methods and the advice he got from<br />
the Agricultural Demonstrator.<br />
Motlhabane said that he was financed<br />
by the CEDA to buy all the machineries<br />
he owns .He went on to urged farmers<br />
to make use government support<br />
programs such as ISPAAD.<br />
Other farmers whose farms were<br />
toured included Oduetse Thebeetsile<br />
who planted maize and applied kraal<br />
manure on the other part and another<br />
applied other artificial fertilizers. He<br />
encouraged other farmers to use row<br />
planting and listen to agricultural<br />
experts.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the farmer, David Tumagole<br />
said he ventured into farming after<br />
being encouraged by farmers in<br />
Barolong area after he had toured<br />
some fields. He said Barolong diversify<br />
arable farming rather than sticking to<br />
one crop.<br />
Tumagole also said<br />
he was impressed by<br />
the machinery used to<br />
scar quelea birds while<br />
encouraging other<br />
farmers not to despair<br />
when they see some<br />
fields which are not<br />
doing well.<br />
He said that Kweneng<br />
East is blessed to have<br />
a youthful, active and<br />
passionate Agricultural<br />
Demonstrator.<br />
For his part, Mr Pagiwa<br />
said that he has passion for<br />
farming so his wish is to leave a<br />
mark in the area.<br />
The Kweneng Agricultural Coordinator,<br />
Kedikilwe Kedikilwe said he was<br />
impressed to see farmers teaching each<br />
other such things as row planting and<br />
application <strong>of</strong> chemicals, adding that<br />
field days are used to share information<br />
and experiences.<br />
Kedikilwe encouraged farmers to use<br />
their fields productively as government<br />
is in the process <strong>of</strong> re-possessing<br />
unused land.<br />
Giving a vote <strong>of</strong> thanks, the area<br />
councillor, Duncan Gower said that<br />
dedication and determination are key<br />
to good farming.<br />
Farmers were encouraged to form<br />
commodity associations so that they<br />
easily destroy cynodon dactylon as a<br />
group and buy the chemical and share<br />
it.<br />
Farmers were also encouraged to<br />
destroy motlhwa while is still at tender<br />
age. Soil treatment should be done<br />
before applying fertilizers so that one<br />
can know how much fertilizers do the<br />
crop needs.<br />
For one to have high yield one has<br />
to choose the seed carefully before<br />
planting it<br />
May 2010
LIVESTOCK AND<br />
MEAT INDUSTRIES ACT<br />
PROTECTS ALL PARTIES<br />
Dr Sehularo<br />
Article: Priscilla Nthaga<br />
Photo: Tshepiso Baipidile<br />
In their endeavour to sensitize butcheries<br />
and meat retailers on the provision <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Livestock and Meat Industries Act which<br />
amongst other things calls for inspection <strong>of</strong><br />
meat products for human consumption, the<br />
<strong>Ministry</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong> and that <strong>of</strong> Labour<br />
and Home Affairs in conjuction Barclays<br />
Bank, recently hosted a stakeholders<br />
workshop on Act.<br />
The workshop was <strong>of</strong>ficially opened by<br />
Kweneng District Commissioner, Mr. Moagi<br />
Kenosi, who said the act was enacted<br />
to ensure that all meat to be sold should<br />
be inspected to ascertain if it is in a good<br />
condition for human consumption. He<br />
further stated that the Act was also made to<br />
protect both the retailers and customers.<br />
He said the Act would go a long way in<br />
improving the quality <strong>of</strong> meat, adding<br />
that Batswana would be able tom eat the<br />
same quality <strong>of</strong> meat which the Botswana<br />
Meat Commission {BMC} exports to the<br />
European market.<br />
Mr Kenosi said Botswana is a meat eating<br />
nation so it is important that the meat eaten<br />
is <strong>of</strong> high quality.<br />
For his part the Agricultural Regional<br />
Coordinator for Kweneng Mr Kedikilwe<br />
Kedikilwe said the purpose <strong>of</strong> the workshop<br />
is to empower meat retailers and butcheries<br />
inorder for their businesses to prosper.<br />
The other purpose he said is to guide meat<br />
retailers and butcheries on slaughtering<br />
procedures and other methods required in<br />
meat inspection as well as giving them tips<br />
on how their meat could be rejected.<br />
Kedikilwe appealed to them not to resist<br />
change as they are likely to lose customers<br />
if they do so.<br />
Another purpose <strong>of</strong> the workshop was<br />
to teach butchers and meat retailers on<br />
handling and transportation <strong>of</strong> meat which<br />
he said that can be one principle that can<br />
attract customer to butcheries. He went on<br />
to say that temperature control after shelve<br />
life should be complied noting that during<br />
transportation more air should be allowed<br />
to circulate.<br />
Also speaking at the occasion was the<br />
Deputy Director <strong>of</strong> Veterinary Services Dr<br />
Kerapetse Sehularo who said Botswana has<br />
only 47 meat inspectors but needs at least<br />
150. He said Molepolole alone has adding<br />
57 butcheries and 244 000 livestock.<br />
He went on to reveal the core cluster<br />
responsibility <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Veterinary Services is animal health<br />
protection which entails responsibility<br />
for animal health, how the animals are<br />
to be handled when they are ailing. He<br />
also emphasised the importance <strong>of</strong><br />
communicating with the veterinarian<br />
before moving the animals from one place<br />
to another.<br />
He further stated that veterenary <strong>of</strong>fcials<br />
look at many issues before issuing a permit<br />
for animal movement, adding that some<br />
diseases can be detected on life animals<br />
while others can be found on meat.<br />
The other cluster, he said, is animal welfare<br />
protection which is basically how animals<br />
should be handled. Animals should be<br />
taken care <strong>of</strong>f, they should not be beaten.<br />
Dr Sehularo said that Botswana is praised<br />
for producing meat that is in good<br />
condition for human consumption and<br />
also how diseases such as Foot and Mouth<br />
are handled. He said when it comes to<br />
Foot and Mouth Disease {FMD) control<br />
Botswana takes the lead.<br />
Dr. Sehularo said the other cluster is Public<br />
Health Protection which deals with food<br />
safety and zoonoses.<br />
He said that the main purpose <strong>of</strong> the act<br />
is customer protection thus dictating<br />
that cattle are slaughtered in a hygienic<br />
environment to avoid food poisoning at all<br />
costs.<br />
It is also consolidates the control which<br />
includes licensing and revocation <strong>of</strong><br />
licensing when there is contravention <strong>of</strong><br />
standards, supervision and inspection<br />
<strong>of</strong> meat to ensure that only wholesome<br />
and safe meat is sold to the public under<br />
one authority (Department <strong>of</strong> Veterinary<br />
Services (DVS} The inspection by DVS will<br />
guarantee independent meat inspection<br />
and carcass grading as opposed to the<br />
current situation.<br />
Dr Sehularo said the primary responsibility<br />
<strong>of</strong> the operator is to ensure safety and<br />
suitability <strong>of</strong> meat for human consumption<br />
in accordance with regulatory meat hygiene<br />
requirements adding that consumers <strong>of</strong><br />
meat should protect meat by maintaining<br />
the temperature that the meat has when<br />
buying, saying it is dangerous to defrost<br />
meat and put it back to the fridge.<br />
He added that customers should be<br />
responsible for meat safety from the point <strong>of</strong><br />
sale to the point <strong>of</strong> consumption.<br />
He further stated the export facilities would<br />
be expected to meet domestic as well as<br />
importing countries requirements adding<br />
that importing requirement would strictly<br />
adhered to so as to protect the country’s<br />
human and livestock population and<br />
environment against biosecurity threats<br />
related to globalization<br />
Dr Sehularo went on to talk about meat<br />
handling and its transportation. He revealed<br />
that car transporting meat should be cleaned<br />
and the meat covered not placed in the floor<br />
<strong>of</strong> the vehicle and green <strong>of</strong>fers like intestines<br />
should not be placed on top <strong>of</strong> the red meat<br />
adding that intestines should be eaten as<br />
fresh as possible, if eaten after frozen the<br />
virus increases rapidly.<br />
He further said in covered vehicle there<br />
should be containers to store red meat.<br />
The interior areas <strong>of</strong> the vehicle should<br />
be done in a way that the meat cannot be<br />
contaminated and wall and floor should be<br />
corrosion existence. Cars should be sealed<br />
with silicon materials since it does not allow<br />
cockroaches to hide in between.<br />
Hard plastics containers that can be closed<br />
with light colours to identify dirt should be<br />
used since dark colours can hide dirt and also<br />
packaged meat should not be transported in<br />
the same car with unpackaged meat.<br />
For the store chilled meat in the fridge it is<br />
allowed to be transported within 24km not<br />
frozen, if frozen allowed to be transported<br />
100km not beyond, fresh meat should<br />
be loaded in 7 degrees Celsius or less in<br />
trucks, 4 degrees Celsius for chilled meat<br />
and -12 degrees Celsius for fresh frozen<br />
meat. Transporting unfrozen meat would be<br />
allowed if one can drive within an hour.<br />
Dr Sehularo said the exemptions <strong>of</strong> the<br />
facilities would be animals intended for<br />
slaughter for consumption within a single<br />
household, public gatherings (including<br />
weddings, funerals and celebrations) and<br />
butchers and retail shop would not be<br />
allowed to sell meat unless it comes from<br />
licensed operational abattoirs.<br />
to page 16 ><br />
May 2010
DIBETE OSTRICH MULTIPLICATION<br />
UNIT A VIABLE PROJECT<br />
Article: Epena Ngatangue<br />
The viability <strong>of</strong> the Dibete Ostrich<br />
Multiplication Unit (DOMU) is dependent<br />
on the operation <strong>of</strong> the ostrich abattoir,<br />
says the Deputy Director <strong>of</strong> Animal<br />
Production in the <strong>Ministry</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong><br />
Dr. John Moreki.<br />
Speaking in an interview Dr. Moreki<br />
said its viability is also dependent on the<br />
willingness <strong>of</strong> the Citizen Entreprenuael<br />
Development Agency (CEDA) to finance<br />
ostrich projects, noting that DOMU<br />
has been affected by the closure <strong>of</strong> the<br />
abattoir as it has some birds which could<br />
have been slaughtered in the last quarter<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2009.<br />
Dr. Moreki said DOMU which is being run<br />
by the Department <strong>of</strong> Animal Production<br />
has 660 breeders which are considered to<br />
be adequate to support the project. In all<br />
there are 1433 birds (660 breeders, 415<br />
juveniles and 358 chicks) on the farm.<br />
DOMU comprises four blocks, three <strong>of</strong><br />
which are currently occupied while the<br />
fourth is under construction. DOMU<br />
produces hatching eggs that are hatched<br />
at Goldiggers (Talana farms) in the<br />
Tuli Block. According to Dr. Moreki<br />
an agreement was reached last year<br />
between government and Goldiggers for<br />
Goldiggers to provide hatching service for<br />
government on chick sharing basis.<br />
According to the agreement, government<br />
takes 60 % <strong>of</strong> the chicks hatched while<br />
Goldiggers gets 40 %. Birds are raised in<br />
Talana Farms up to five days and thereafter<br />
transferred to Dibete. Birds from DOMU<br />
are available to farmers to buy.<br />
Dr. Moreki says government also<br />
provides funds to young farmers to set<br />
up businesses including ostrich farming<br />
through Young Farmers Fund (YFF).<br />
On how ostrich farming could improve<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>itability, Dr. Moreki said there is an<br />
urgent need to promote consumption<br />
<strong>of</strong> ostrich meat locally as dependency<br />
on export market does not seem to be<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>itable given the low number <strong>of</strong> birds<br />
that are slaughtered.<br />
He also said there is need to have farmers<br />
that concentrate only in growing and/or<br />
fattening, breeding and hatching in the<br />
future. “There is no doubt that vertical<br />
integration and contract growing would<br />
contribute enormously to increased<br />
production,” he said.<br />
Dr. Moreki came up with suggestions<br />
which could improve ostrich farming<br />
in the country such as subsiding ostrich<br />
feeds. He said feed is the single largest<br />
cost in ostrich production. He said feed<br />
cost accounts for 70% to 80% <strong>of</strong> the<br />
production costs.<br />
He said regular maintenance <strong>of</strong> the<br />
abattoir should guard against frequent<br />
closures which have detrimental effects<br />
on the performance <strong>of</strong> the ostrich<br />
industry. “It is worth noting that such<br />
closures affect meat and skin quality,” he<br />
said.<br />
Dr. Moreki also suggested that birds<br />
should be reared within the vicinity <strong>of</strong><br />
the abattoir. He said new ostrich farms<br />
should be cited no more than 100 km<br />
from the abattoir to reduce transportation<br />
costs.<br />
He further suggested that training in<br />
ostrich management should be intensified<br />
to equip staff with recent technologies on<br />
Dr. John Moreki<br />
ostrich production. Government support<br />
regarding laboratory technical services<br />
should be strengthened, he said.<br />
On the greatest achievements in<br />
ostrich farming, Dr. Moreki cited the<br />
establishment <strong>of</strong> ostrich abattoir and<br />
DOMU. Currently DOMU produces<br />
and sells chicks and growers/juveniles to<br />
farmers at subsidized prices.<br />
Other constraints in ostrich farming, Dr.<br />
Moreki mentioned poor quality <strong>of</strong> feeds,<br />
inadequate laboratory analytical services<br />
as well as inadequate extension service.<br />
Dr. Moreki said delay in allocation <strong>of</strong><br />
land for ostrich farming deter farmers<br />
to venture into ostrich production. In<br />
addition, the size <strong>of</strong> the plots allocated<br />
that is usually inadequate to support the<br />
venture.<br />
On the long term benefits <strong>of</strong> DOMU,<br />
Dr. Moreki cited provision <strong>of</strong> chicks<br />
and growers/juveniles to farmers which<br />
should contribute to the revival <strong>of</strong> the<br />
industry through increased throughput as<br />
well as transfer <strong>of</strong> technical skills to the<br />
ostrich farmers<br />
May 2010
B otswana<br />
College <strong>of</strong><br />
A griculture<br />
TO TURN INTO A UNIVERSITY<br />
Article: Theresa Mokgwathi<br />
Photos: Pius Nkunda<br />
Botswana College <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong> on May<br />
5, 2010 familiarized the media fraternity<br />
with its facilities and strategy for 2012<br />
and beyond. The Principal <strong>of</strong> the College<br />
Dr Ricks Chabo said that the purpose <strong>of</strong><br />
the event was to give the media first hand<br />
information on the development <strong>of</strong> the<br />
college as a partner. He said the college<br />
has a lot to unpackage to the public<br />
Chabo said that the college’s new strategy<br />
is in alignment with the countries Vision<br />
2016, to be an Educated, Informed<br />
Nation, and a Prosperous, Productive and<br />
Innovative nation.<br />
He further said that the National<br />
Development Plan aims to diversify<br />
the economy from mining to renewal<br />
economic sectors such as agriculture and<br />
tourism and this means the college has a<br />
defined role to play in the development<br />
<strong>of</strong> the country especially in alleviation<br />
<strong>of</strong> poverty in the country. “Our role as<br />
the college is to provide knowledge<br />
and skill to eradicate poverty and our<br />
college indeed provides these skills and<br />
knowledge” said Chabo.<br />
Another speaker, Dr Mataba Tapela,Deputy<br />
Dean <strong>of</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong> said the<br />
college would be in a position to operate<br />
as a university soon and also graduate to<br />
the production <strong>of</strong> value added goods. He<br />
said the aims is to focus not only on the<br />
growing <strong>of</strong> food but to be involved in the<br />
production <strong>of</strong> food until the last process <strong>of</strong><br />
shelve life and putting food on the table.<br />
The college’s vision is to be an agricultural<br />
university <strong>of</strong> international repute.<br />
Tapela said the mission <strong>of</strong> the university<br />
will be to produce quality graduates for<br />
the agricultural sector through innovative<br />
teaching and research.<br />
“The university will expand the training<br />
niche it already has in the fields <strong>of</strong><br />
agriculture and related sciences by<br />
<strong>of</strong>fering new programmes such as food<br />
science and technology, natural resources<br />
management, agri- business and finance,<br />
community development” said Tapela..<br />
He said that there will be a sustainable<br />
social and economic development<br />
through the coordinated and integrated<br />
application <strong>of</strong> science and technology,<br />
and to also conserve the environment.<br />
He said that focus areas will mainly be<br />
on agribusiness and finance, agricultural<br />
technology, agro-processing, agricultural<br />
biotechnology, animal health, natural<br />
resources management and agricultural<br />
communication.<br />
The University <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong> will provide<br />
human resources with relevant skills and<br />
expertise required to drive government<br />
initiatives such as; <strong>Agriculture</strong> Hub,<br />
NAMPAADD, ISPAAD, Young Farmer’s<br />
fund and self employment.<br />
Tapela said some benefits <strong>of</strong> the college<br />
turning into a university will be “the<br />
increased impact in the economy through<br />
focused programming that addresses the<br />
whole value chain <strong>of</strong> the agricultural<br />
industry and community development.<br />
There will also be generation <strong>of</strong> innovative<br />
solutions for the agro-industry through<br />
research”.<br />
He further said that the new <strong>Agriculture</strong><br />
University may expand to include other<br />
research-oriented institutions such as<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong> Research<br />
(DAR), National Food Technology<br />
Research Centre (NFTRC), and Maun<br />
Wild life Training Centre (MWTC).He<br />
on that note said that discussions are at<br />
advanced stage for BCA to takeover the<br />
Meat Inspection Training Centre (MITC)<br />
as its satellite campus.<br />
Tapela went on to reveal some <strong>of</strong> the farm<br />
facilities for practical experience such as<br />
the poultry facilities, dairy facility which<br />
has a milking parlor that was built by<br />
the Agricultural Engineering Department,<br />
a Center pivot irrigation which covers<br />
a field <strong>of</strong> 320 metres, which irrigates<br />
continual fodder crops, a vegetable<br />
gardens and piggery.<br />
He mentioned that the college has<br />
expanded its facilities to 50% <strong>of</strong> what<br />
they used to have, for the college to be<br />
in a position to operate as a university.<br />
The new <strong>of</strong>fices, an engineering<br />
workshop, administration block, three<br />
new lecture halls, one with a capacity <strong>of</strong><br />
accommodating<br />
1 0 0 p e o p l e ,<br />
the<br />
second<br />
accommodating 150<br />
people and the third one<br />
accommodating 250 people,<br />
a library that accommodates<br />
300 people and a campus which<br />
is about 600 hectors and a large<br />
land.<br />
He said that most <strong>of</strong> the physical and<br />
human resources are already in place<br />
so the development cost is not expected<br />
to be high. “The actual cost estimate for<br />
the project will be determined during<br />
the development <strong>of</strong> a full proposal” said<br />
Tapela.<br />
“BCA staff is trained to the required<br />
academic level, and is already at<br />
par with counterparts at benchmark<br />
universities” Tapela said. The college<br />
has 47 PhD citizen holders and 15 non<br />
citizens. There are 37 citizens’ masters’<br />
holders, 2 non citizens and 5 bachelors’<br />
holders who are citizens. He went on to<br />
say that the college is introducing a PhD<br />
programme which will be new, starting<br />
in August 2010.<br />
He however revealed that the need<br />
for the college to be a university was<br />
influenced by the fact that the college<br />
has been experiencing difficulties in<br />
attracting quality staff and students due<br />
to the fact that it is labeled a college. He<br />
said that people prefer universities over<br />
colleges, giving an example <strong>of</strong> students<br />
who after they finish Cambridge regard<br />
all the universities as their first priority<br />
and come to BAC as a last resort.<br />
He went on to mention that the other<br />
constrain that they are experiencing<br />
as a college is that it is difficult to be<br />
truly independent and take advantage<br />
<strong>of</strong> emerging opportunities because they<br />
always have to seek for approval from<br />
the University <strong>of</strong> Botswana as they are<br />
an associate institution <strong>of</strong> the University<br />
<strong>of</strong> Botswana. He mentioned that there<br />
is redundancy in administrative and<br />
governance structures. He also said that<br />
they are experiencing limited growth as<br />
the college is facing challenges in forging<br />
relations with regional universities<br />
May 2010
SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENTS<br />
THROUGH NAMPAADD<br />
Article: Gorata Molosi<br />
Photo: Pius Nkunda<br />
The Deputy Permanent (Crop<br />
Services) in the <strong>Ministry</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong><br />
Edison Wotho hailed the National<br />
Master Plan for Arable <strong>Agriculture</strong><br />
Development (NAMPAADD) for<br />
taking agriculture to another level.<br />
Speaking at the Agricultural Pitso<br />
recently Wotho said there are signs <strong>of</strong><br />
improvements for farmers who have<br />
adopted NAMPAADD machineries.<br />
He further said irrigated agriculture<br />
needs concerted efforts if one has<br />
has to gain maximum yeilds.<br />
Michael Diteko from the Botswana<br />
Horticultural Council said<br />
land allocated to horticulture<br />
countrywide is 3000 ha (1200ha<br />
unutilised land and used is 1800ha).<br />
He said unutilised land has potential<br />
to produce an extra 10-20 000 tons,<br />
but the challenge is water.<br />
The other challenge is seasonal<br />
production, adding that due to the<br />
weather conditions they are some<br />
crops which depend on weather, for<br />
instance tomatoes which he said<br />
are scarce in winter. He said about<br />
10 000 tons <strong>of</strong> tomatoes are thrown<br />
away because <strong>of</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> industries to<br />
add value.<br />
He mentioned high cost <strong>of</strong> inputs<br />
and climate change as the other<br />
challenge they face in horticulture<br />
saying that climate change is for real.<br />
He encouraged farmers to stop being<br />
individualistic by selling their crops<br />
to big wholesalers such as Choppies<br />
other than working together and<br />
improve their markets.<br />
On cereal production, a farmer<br />
representative in that sector Mr<br />
Mapitse said producers appreciated<br />
government support programmes<br />
such as ISPAAD.<br />
He however said farmers complain<br />
about destructive animals and birds<br />
and proposed that only those who<br />
fenced their fields be assisted with<br />
seeds.<br />
Mr. Mapitse complained about late<br />
issuamce <strong>of</strong> seeds and fertilisers as<br />
well as shortage <strong>of</strong> tractors<br />
He also suggested that people<br />
involved in Ipelegeng should not be<br />
given seeds and fertlisers, adding that<br />
people who are serious in farming<br />
should be given land.<br />
Mr Mapitse further said farmers want<br />
to be subsidised to control weeds.<br />
He further said decried shortage <strong>of</strong><br />
farm labour as Batswana go for white<br />
collar jobs and do not want to work<br />
in farms.<br />
A horticultural trader popularly<br />
known as Mr veg also gave his point <strong>of</strong><br />
view in the crop marketing and trade<br />
related issues.He said that buyers<br />
are not supporting the producers in<br />
Botswana. He pointed out Packaging,<br />
Labeling and Marketing as the most<br />
problem in Botswana.<br />
Mr Veg emphasised on quality sales<br />
adding that most <strong>of</strong> the farmers<br />
do not have capacity to deliver to<br />
their customers. He said that most<br />
producers lack training in marketing<br />
skills and he therefore recommended<br />
to government to develop marketing<br />
skills and create an <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> fair<br />
training through legislation. The other<br />
recommendation to the government<br />
he said was that they should remove<br />
VAT on horticulture produce as well<br />
as farm inputs.Like other farmers Mr<br />
Veg emphasised the importance <strong>of</strong><br />
food security<br />
May 2010
GOVERNMENT TO VACCINATE<br />
FOR MANGE DISEASE<br />
Article: Felix Mothatego<br />
Photos: Henry Toto<br />
The government has decided to begin free<br />
treatment <strong>of</strong> all small stock in Kgalagadi area<br />
for Mange disease or Lephalo in vernacular,<br />
this May.<br />
This was said by the minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong><br />
Christiaan De Graaff during Kgotla meeting<br />
with farmers in Hukuntsi and Kang. He said<br />
his ministry reversed the decision to ask<br />
farmers to buy treatment drugs from Livestock<br />
Advisory Center (LAC) or mobile LAC, to treat<br />
their sheep and goats.<br />
The ministry made this move because some<br />
poor farmers could not afford to buy the drugs,<br />
and there was shortage <strong>of</strong> drugs in LAC around<br />
the country. Government could also not<br />
intervene by <strong>of</strong>fering a free treatment, because<br />
<strong>of</strong> the financial recession. Hence the desired<br />
goal <strong>of</strong> reducing the disease could also not be<br />
achieved.<br />
The disease increased and later spread<br />
throughout Kgalagadi district. As a<br />
consequence, the ministry instituted a control<br />
strategy <strong>of</strong> eliminating the disease in the<br />
district, and to increase public awareness.<br />
Movement <strong>of</strong> small stock within, into and out<br />
<strong>of</strong> the district is prohibited, except for direct<br />
slaughter within the district. He said the<br />
success <strong>of</strong> the strategy depends on farmers’<br />
commitment and cooperation.<br />
He urged them to avail their livestock for<br />
treatment, on the specified treatment days. All<br />
goats and sheep regardless <strong>of</strong> age would be<br />
treated twice at two weeks interval.<br />
The Deputy Director in the Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Veterinary Services Dr. Letlhogile Modisa<br />
said in an interview, that mange is a parasitic<br />
disease. The parasite causes an infestation <strong>of</strong><br />
the skin, causing<br />
Irritation or itching in the animal infected. The<br />
mange in Kgalagadi is caused by a parasite<br />
called Sarc optic Mange.<br />
He said not only has it affected this district,<br />
also on the fringes <strong>of</strong> the neighboring district<br />
they do see some cases. It affects goats and<br />
sheep usually in the months when they have<br />
to crowd together, therefore overcrowding is<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the predisposing factors for the disease.<br />
He said this disease is normally present in<br />
the population but, once in a while where<br />
overcrowding is common it becomes a bit<br />
beyond the usual occurrence<br />
When an infected animal comes in contact<br />
with those that have not been exposed to the<br />
parasite, it passes the parasite to those not<br />
affected. It resides on the skin <strong>of</strong> the animals,<br />
feeding on dying skin tissues while causing<br />
loss <strong>of</strong> hair, and itching in the animals affected.<br />
This animal eventually loses quite significant<br />
amount <strong>of</strong> hair because <strong>of</strong> itching, and<br />
scratching against objects.<br />
He said prevention <strong>of</strong> the disease is by<br />
guarding against overcrowding <strong>of</strong> the animals,<br />
and by imposing a ban on movement <strong>of</strong> goats<br />
and sheep from where there are cases. Farmers<br />
however, have to note that transportation <strong>of</strong><br />
meat itself does not spread the disease, so<br />
people could transport meat from wherever<br />
they want to their destinations. Dr. Modisa<br />
also said other products such as milk do not<br />
transmit the disease.<br />
He appealed to farmers to try and control this<br />
disease by observing movement protocols,<br />
and round up their small stock to facilitate the<br />
injection <strong>of</strong> these animals. He said the drug<br />
they would be using has got a withdrawal<br />
period <strong>of</strong> fourteen days. Therefore, fourteen<br />
days after the injection animals should not<br />
be slaughtered for consumption, although<br />
they understand that this would be an<br />
inconvenience. They also discourage farmers<br />
to try and keep some animals away from<br />
treatment under the pretext that they would<br />
be slaughtered soon, because these goats and<br />
sheep would infect others once the treatment<br />
drug is finished in the system.<br />
He said they would not encourage anybody to<br />
skip treatment for any reason, because there<br />
is no good reason to skip this treatment. Even<br />
those who treated their animals have to bring<br />
them for treatment, because this treatment has<br />
to be done simultaneously in order to wipe<br />
out the parasite. Dr. Modisa said the drug they<br />
are using is not a vaccine but a parasiticide,<br />
and kills a number <strong>of</strong> parasites in small stock<br />
including internal ones. “So we are killing two<br />
birds with one stone”, he said.<br />
However, there are some other blood parasites<br />
that would not respond to this treatment such<br />
as Heart water and Ana plasma amongst<br />
others. He said when it comes to ecto parasites<br />
such as s<strong>of</strong>t ticks, the treatment would be a<br />
replacement and farmers would not have to<br />
apply other medications. If they happen to<br />
want to do so, they appeal to them to contact<br />
their nearest Veterinary <strong>of</strong>fice for advice on the<br />
matter.<br />
He said technically this is not a vaccination;<br />
it is what they call chemoprophylaxis. The<br />
more animals they cover the better because if<br />
they could cover all the goats and sheep, they<br />
anticipate that they would leave no goats and<br />
sheep where the parasite could reside to infect<br />
other animals<br />
May 2010
THE NATIONAL<br />
AGRICULTURAL SHOW<br />
09 - 14 AUGUST 2010<br />
RETHINKING AGRICULTURE:<br />
KEY TO SELF-RELIANCE AND<br />
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT<br />
Venue: Showground - Agricultural site<br />
Official opening 11/09/2010<br />
Fee: P20 Adults & P10 Children<br />
<strong>Ministry</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Agriculture</strong><br />
May 2010<br />
For more information<br />
3908141 / 39148253689475 / 3689476/ 3689146